BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron D3030 review

About the BLACK+DECKER D3030

The D3030 is a conventional corded steam iron with a stainless steel soleplate and a comfort-grip handle. The soleplate has a tapered nose for buttons, collars and pleats. A reviewer at TechGearLab found it handled cotton and linen in one or two passes and was also gentle enough for silk and synthetics.

Controls are a temperature dial with five presets, a separate steam on/off control and an adjustable steam amount. It also has a steam burst, a water spray, vertical steam for hanging garments, a steam-level indicator and a power/ready light. An auto-clean system flushes scale from inside the iron.

The water tank holds 12.85 oz, which Target's listing puts at about 20 minutes of steam per fill. Heat-up takes about 45 seconds. Auto shutoff kicks in after 30 seconds if the iron is left on its side or soleplate, or after 8 minutes on the heel rest. The cord is 8 feet long and wraps under the soleplate for storage. The listing shows one iron in the box. It carries a 2-year limited warranty.

What owners report about the BLACK+DECKER D3030

Owners who like it mention the quick heat-up, the steam quality, the easy controls, the sturdy feel and the value for the money. Many say it does the job on everyday shirts and trousers.

The complaints are about usability and durability. Several owners find the dark gray tank hard to read, so the fill line is easy to overshoot. The gray temperature dial is also hard to read, and some say it gets bumped while ironing.

A share of owners report problems with age: the iron stops heating, sputters, or leaks from the cord base or fill spout, in some cases not long after the warranty ended. Others report a red power light that stays on. Owner feedback available for this exact model was limited to one retailer, so treat the split as a rough guide.

Who the BLACK+DECKER D3030 suits

The D3030 fits a household that irons a few times a week and wants a stainless soleplate, vertical steam and a conventional cord at a low price. It is also a fair choice for pressing detail work around collars and buttons.

Look elsewhere if you iron large piles in one session, since the small tank needs frequent refills. If you want a cord that winds away, the Rowenta AccessSteam Cordreel DW2459 or the BLACK+DECKER Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron ICR2020 have a cord reel. Quilters and sewists should look at the Oliso TG1600 Pro Plus SmartIron, and anyone who wants no cord at all should look at the Panasonic NI-WL600.

Questions about the BLACK+DECKER D3030